Meaning of confiscate in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈkɑnfəˌskeɪt/

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  1. Verb

    confiscate

    Etymology

    mid 16th century: from Latin confiscat-‘put away in a chest, consigned to the public treasury’, from the verb confiscare, based on con-‘together’ + fiscus‘chest, treasury’

    Definitions

    1. take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority

    Examples

    • « The FBI seized the drugs »
    • « The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment »
    • « The police confiscated the stolen artwork »

    Derived terms

  2. Classifying Adjective

    confiscate

    Definitions

    1. surrendered as a penalty

    Synonyms

  3. 2. taken without permission or consent especially by public authority

    Examples

    • « the condemned land was used for a highway cloverleaf »
    • « the confiscated liquor was poured down the drain »

    Synonyms

Famous quotes

  • « By a continuing process of inflation, government can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens. »
    John Maynard Keynes

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